White Oak
Quercus alba • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Quarter-sawn with prominent medullary rays (flecking). Grain is generally straight with a coarse, uneven texture and visible open pores characteristic of oaks.
Color Description
Light to medium brown heartwood, often with an olive cast. Sapwood is light tan to nearly white. Displays significant chatoyance in the ray flecks and tends to darken/amber slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
1,350 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Very Durable. Excellent resistance to rot and decay due to the presence of tyloses in the heartwood pores which make it nearly water-tight.
Common Uses
Furniture, flooring, cabinetry, boat building, wine/whiskey barrels (cooperage), interior trim, and heavy construction.
Geographic Origin
Eastern Northern America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 to $10.00 per board foot for quarter-sawn select grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively recent/raw stock. The surface shows rough-sawn marks and minimal oxidation, suggesting it was milled within the last 1-3 years and has not been significantly weathered.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC options common.
Workability
Works well with both hand and machine tools. Has moderately high shrinkage, so stability must be managed. It glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can react with iron-based fasteners to create blue/black stains.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'tannic' scent when worked. High tannin content makes it suitable for chemical fuming (ammonia) to darken the wood. Pores are plugged with tyloses, unlike Red Oak.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or wiping varnishes highlight the ray fleck beauty. Polyurethane provides excellent protection for high-traffic uses like flooring.
Identification Confidence
High. The presence of large, prominent medullary ray flecks on a quarter-sawn face Combined with the characteristic light-brown color and open-pore structure is diagnostic for White Oak.